Meta strikes: $15 billion for AI genius Alexandr Wang!

Meta strikes: $15 billion for AI genius Alexandr Wang!

On June 12, 2025, Meta announced that it would invest $15 billion in cash for a 49% stake in Scale AI, a company specializing in data startups. The deal is called an “acquihire,” meaning the acquisition is primarily aimed at attracting talent. Alexandr Wang, co-founder of Scale AI and previously CEO of the company, will join Meta to work on the development of superintelligence. Wang has already announced that he will continue to support Scale AI as a board member and is expected to bring several Scale AI employees with him to Meta.

The investment is intended to deepen collaboration in data production for AI models. Additionally, Scale AI, which was founded in 2016 and provides data labeling and processing services for AI systems, is considered a strategic partner for Meta, especially in the current competitive landscape where Meta lags behind Google, Microsoft and OpenAI. Analysts estimate that Scale AI revenue could reach nearly $1 billion by 2024 and double by 2025. The startup has well-known customers such as Toyota, Microsoft, OpenAI and the US government.

Strategic significance of the deal

The $15 billion deal is described as a complex “3 in 1” offering that represents not only a talent acquisition but also a strategic investment and a bet on the future of AI technologies. With this significant investment, Meta signals that the company is ready to devote significant resources to the development of AI and, in particular, superintelligence. In a market increasingly dominated by large players such as Microsoft, Amazon and Google, Meta remains required to rethink its strategic priorities and, if necessary, overcome internal disagreements about the direction of AI development.

Alexandr Wang, who is just 28 years old, has built Scale AI, a company that is recognized for its quality of data processing but has also been criticized for employing low-wage workers in developing countries. This issue could influence public perception of Meta and its new partnership, especially given the current debates about ethical standards in technology.

Investment volume and future plans

Meta's $15 billion investment in Scale AI is the company's second-largest acquisition after WhatsApp and demonstrates Meta's serious commitment to leadership in AI. In total, Meta plans to invest up to $72 billion in AI development this year, with a focus on infrastructure and core initiatives. With the new strategic partnerships and the addition of Wang, Meta expects to effectively overcome its own challenges in AI integration.